Spring Break: Rushville, MO

Kris Hoskinson, Orchard Hill's high school director, wrote this post about their Spring Break trip to God's Mountain, Rushville, Missouri:

About God's Mtn Camp (from the website):
In 1994, Johnny Williams (a Midland Ministries staff member) heard of an old boys camp located in the bluffs south of St. Joseph. This camp had been abandoned and was in a terrible state of disrepair. Yet, after much prayer Johnny and his wife Pam, started the process of fixing it up again. After much hard work and volunteer help , they were able to hold a week of guys camp in 1995. Since then , God has provided the means to do amazing things at God’s Mountain. Although there is still much to do , God definitely has his hands in the work and ministry of God’s Mountain.
This was the first time we have taken a high school group there but this trip has been happening for 10+ years within college ministry.
We took twenty-seven 9-12th grade students, eight leaders, two cooks, and five babies/kids. This trip is great because it is very family friendly!
http://www.godsmountain.net/

We had an amazing week. We spent the week working at the camp to help with repairs, building, and other various projects as the God's Mountain Staff has been preparing to have the camp ready for when summer campers will arrive. We worked hard throughout the week and really saw a great deal of work accomplished. We spent the week focusing on different ways we can "experience God" with short teachings about surrender, studying God's word, experiencing Him through various pathways, our need for relationships, being thankful, sharing Christ with others, and more. We had an hour of quiet time each day to go off on our own and be with God and the weather was beautiful so it really allowed for us to be outside and enjoy God's creation.
One student I spoke with shared with me that although he doesn't always get excited to do work projects, he really wanted to work hard at the camp to make it ready for summer campers, as he realized the influence that our work could have on the lives of students that will be there this summer.
I love the idea that a mission trip is not just about the work that is done for a week at a certain place. It is also about the work done in the hearts and lives of people that continues after the week is over!